Stop-motion head for use on knitting machines



VQSSEN STOP-MOTION HEAD FOR USE ON KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 6, 1959 3 Shee": s 1

FIG. I.

ARD vossEN BY r RNEY Sept. 26, 1961 E. VOSSEN 3,001,389

STOP-MOTION HEAD FOR USE ON KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 6, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 48 INVENTOR 20 Q/ W EDWARD VOSSEN an 30 BY s a M 4 72 14 f i ATTORNEY Sept. 26, 1961 Filed April 6, 1959 FIG.

E. VOSSEN 3,001,389

STOP-MOTION HEAD FOR USE ON KNITTING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR EDWARD VOSSEN ATTORNEY United States Patent O Filed Apr. 6, 1959, Ser. No. 804,186

Claims. (Cl. 66-163) This invention relates to an improved stop-motion head for use on knitting machines. The application of the invention is mainly to circular knitting machines, but it may also be applied to other knitting machines as well.

The stop-motion head herein described and claimed constitutes an improved device in three important respects: In the first place, its construction is vastly simplified and improved over prior devices of like nature, lending itself to prefabrication, including prewiring, of all major components thereof, and eliminating almost all of the skilled manual work required in the manufacture of prior devices. The result is a better product produced at lower cost in faster time and by relatively unskilled workers.

In the second place, the device herein described and claimed may more readily be transported from maker to user and then more readily installed. This follows from the first important feature of the invention above described. The device is made in separate components, each of which is of a convenient size and Weight for ship ment. These components are easily assembled and installed without requiring any electrical Wiring or other electrical work except the means for connecting the stop motion devices to the knitting machine itself. Once again there is a very substantial saving in costs, namely, shipping expenses and installation expenses. The process of installation requires less time, less effort, and may at least in part be performed by relatively unskilled employees.

In the third place, also as a corollary to the first feature above described, the device herein claimed rarely requires service under conditions of normal use and abuse, and When it does such service may readily be performed by the maintenance men who are regularly employed to service and maintain the knitting machines themselves. nonetheless become inoperative, for whatever reason, a like component could readily be shipped by the manufacturer and installed by the user in the place and stead of the component which failed.

The object of the invention, therefore, is the provision of a stop-motion head of the character described, which embodies the several important features relating to manufacture, shipment, installation and maintenance above described.

There are however other important features such as the following: In prior stop-motion heads each individual stop-motion device would be screwed or bolted in place and then individually wired to a harness of wires which, in turn, would be connected to the knitting machine. In the present case, each individual stop-motion device is simply clamped in place by means of a toggleaction clamp, and the very act of fastening the stop-motion in place also connects it electrically to the electrical system of the stop-motion head. The electrical connection is achieved as follows: The supporting bracket (including the toggle action clamp) which supports the stop motion on the frame of the stop-motion head makes contact withsaid frame and thereby grounds the stop-motion device. At the same time a contact element on said bracket, insulated from the bracket, makes contact with anelectrical conductor on the frame of the stop-motion head said conductor being insulated from said frame.

Should a component of the present device w connected to each other.

' bility of its stop-motion detectors.

ting machine.

These two connections, one to the ground and the other to said conductor, complete the electrical installation of the individual stop-motion device.

Another important feature is the manner in which the individual components of the stop-motion head are electrically joined Contrary to past practice, there is no need to Wire the individual components together. Instead, each component is provided with electrical contact means adapted automatically to contact complementary electrical contact means on the main frame or hub of the stop-motion head when said component is bolted to said main frame. In short, the respective contact means automatically engage each other when the components and the frame are assembled. This is also true of the manner in which the several components of the stop-motion head, other than the main frame, are electrically Each component is individually wired at the factory, and all that need be done to connect the several components is to clip them together, the clips being installed at the factory and ready for use.

An additional feature of the invention is the adjusta- Each such device is individually clamped to the stop-moton head, by the means above described, at any desired or required position thereon relative to the knitting machine cones or yarn holders or other conventional elements of the knit- By the same token, the stop-motion detectors may very readily be shifted from one position to another Whenever this is found necessary. More detectors can be added at will by simply clamping them on the channel frame. This is very important because mills can add cones without having to worry about stop-motion trically connected to the adjacent electrical systems, The "mechanical connecting means by which the individual components are interconnected may be attached or detached at will. This is important when the stop-motion head is originally assembled, and it is also important when necessary to disassemble the unit or to remove and replace individual sections or to add additional sections.

Since each component is self-contained as a mechanical structure and also in its electrical system, adding, removing, substituting or repairing individual components becomes a very simply matter. This feature also renders it possible to pinpoint trouble as by disconnecting individual sections or groups of stop-motion detectors.

There are other important features which will become apparent from a reading of the specification. For example, the main clamping device by which the central frame or hub of the stop-motion head is secured to the frame of the knitting machine is quickly adjustable and adapted to secure the stop-motion head firmly to the knitting machine frame in any desired position or location thereon. The several structural components of the stopmotion head are so designed that they may readily be made by die-casting means. Such being the case, corresponding parts are interchangeable and assembly becomes an easy matter. Channels and ribs may be used for structural strength and aluminum may be used to save weight.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a stop-motion head made in accordance with this invention for application to a circular knitting machine, said head being shown in assembled condition but without the individual stop-motion devices mounted thereon, except for a single such device illustratively shown.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the bottom of the same assembled head.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the several electrical elements of one of the components of the stop-motion head.

\FIG. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line 55 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view on the line 66 of FIG. 1, showing how a stop-motion device is mounted on the head.

FIG. 7 is a side view of said stop-motion device viewed in the direction of arrows 7, 7 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view showing the stop-motion device supporting bracket, including the toggle clamp.

FIG. 9 is a view of said stop-motion device looking in the direction of arrows 9, 9 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged section showing the clamping device which secures the stop-motion head to the knitting machine frame.

FIG. 11 is another section through said clamping device, taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

The stop-motion head 10 which is herein claimed includes a central frame 12 which is designed to be mounted on vertical shaft 14 of a conventional circular knitting machine. A clamping device locks said central frame on said vertical shaft at any desired location thereon. Said clamping device includes a housing 16 which is made of two die-cast parts 16a and 16b respectively, secured to each other and to the hub plate 17 of said central frame by means of bolt 19. A central hole 21 is formed in housing 16 to receive shaft 14. A pair of cylindrical chambers 23 are also formed in said housing on opposite sides of hole 21, the axis of hole 21 being vertical and the axes of said cylindrical chambers 23 being horizontal and parallel to each other. Slidably mounted within said cylindrical chambers are two pairs of tapered clamping element 25, and it will be observed that their tapered portions, which are concavely shaped, are engageable with shaft 14 when said shaft occupies hole 21. Keys 27 formed in one of the housing elements 16a engage corresponding slots in the tapered clamping elements to prevent them from rotating while permitting them to slide longitudinally. Compression springs 29 are mounted be tween each pair of tapered clamping elements 25 in order to urge them away from each other and out of engagement with shaft 14. Screws 31 engage one of each pair of tapered clamping elements by means of screw threads formed therein. Said screws project through untapped holes in the other of each pair of tapered clamping elements. When said screws are tightened in respect to the first mentioned tapered clamping elements, the heads of said screws engage the second mentioned tapered clamping elements, and both tapered clamping elements are thereby forced to move toward each other into clamping engagement with shaft 14. This is one type of clamping mechanism which may be used in connection with this invention, but it will be understood that other clamps may also be utilized for the same purpose.

a As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, central frame 12 is a circular spoked element of such dimensions that it may readily be made and shipped as a single piece. As the draw ing indicates, see FIG. 2 in particular, the central frame 12 is completely pre-wired so that it may be separately made and shipped and combined with the other components of the stop-motion head with no difficulty whatsoever. It will shortly be seen that said central frame is provided with button or plunger type connectors for quick connection with the corresponding contact members of the other components of the stop-motion head. Also included in the wiring of the central frame are electric locator lights. v

Bolted to said central frame is a plurality of outwardly extending radial arms 20. A single bolt 22, for example, adequately fastens each radial arm 20 to frame 12. It will be observed that the radial arms are disposed in pairs, abutting each other throughout their entire length, and being held together at their outer ends by means of plates 24 and screws 26.

Secured to and supported by said radial arms are arcuate channels 30, 32 and 34, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, these arcuate channels are arranged to define a series of substantially equally spaced concentric circles, arcuate channels 30 forming the inner circle concentric with frame 12, arcuate channels 32 forming the intermediate circle, and arcuate channels 34 forming the outer circle. As shown in FIG. 4, one of the arcuate channels 36 (and this is true of all of the other arcuate channels) is disposed with its central web against a radial arm 20 and its two side flanges projecting into corresponding slots or notches formed in said radial arm. A screw 36 secures the arcuate channel to the radial arm.

On each radial arm 20 is an insulated wire 46 extending longitudinally thereof, and it will be observed that the insulation is removed from said wire adjacent the notches which receive the flanges of the arcuate channels. Adjacent said notches are holes 42 extending transversely of the radial arms to receive insulating sleeves 44. Projecting into said sleeves are spring clips 46 of generally 8 shape. As shown in FIG. 5, the clip engages the bare portion of wire 40 and supports the wire on the radial arm. An insulating plate 48 is placed between the central web of the S-shaped clip 46 and the radial arm to prevent contact between said clip and said arm. At the inner end of the radial arm is a cylindrical hole 5% within which i an annular flange 52 extending radially inwardly. Abutting the flange on opposite sides thereof are insulting washers 54 and 56, respectively. A button 60 is disposed within hole 50, projecting through washers 54 and 56. Said button may be rolled over at 58 to be riveted to the two washers and to fix its position within hole 50. A shown in the drawing, there is no electrical contact between button 60 and radial arm 20. The inner end of wire 40 is secured to button 60 by means of screw 62.

' It will be noted in FIG. 4 that central frame 12 is pr0- vided with contact members 64 mounted on spring elements or leaves 66 which are insulated from said frame. Said contact members 64 are disposed in holes 68 which register with holes 50 above mentioned. Being mounted on spring elements 66, said contact members 64 are springurged into contact with buttons 60, thereby electrically connecting wires 40 to a source of current evidenced by conductors 70 connected to spring elements 66. In short,

when a radial arm 20 is secured to frame 12, it button 60 automatically contacts contact member 64 and provides an electrical connection therewith.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be observed that a plurality of insulating blocks 72 are mounted in each of the arcuate channels. A press fit would be sufficient to hold the blocks in place. Each block is provided with a groove 74 which receives a tubular conduetor 76. More than half of the tubular conductor, viewed in cross-section, is disposed within groove 74, and consequently this is sufficient to secure said tubular conductor to said blocks. Each arcuate channel is thus provided with a single arcuate conductor 76, and it will be understood that said conductor also assumes an arcuate shape to parallel the flanges of the channel and to avoid electrical contact therewith.

The manner in which tubular conductors 76 are brought into the electrical circuit of the stop-motion head is clearly shown in FIG. 5. One end of S-shaped clip 46 is shown to project into insulating sleeve 44 in hole 42 of radial arm 20. The opposite end of said S-shaped clip is shown to project into the adjacent end of the tubular conductor 76. Since both ends of said S-shaped'clip are themselves bent double to provide outwardly biased spring means, it is evident that said ends of the S-shaped clip are securely wedged, respectively, in insulated hole 42 and the adjacent end of tubular conductor 76.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 to 9, inclusive, it will be noted that each stop-motion device it sometimes known as a yarn detector, is secured to a bracket 82 by means of a screw 84. Said bracket 82 includes a toggle type clamping element 86. As shown in FIG. 8, this clamping element consists of an actuating member 86a which is pivotally connected to bracket 82 by means of pin or rivet 88, and a hook-shaped element 8612 which is pivotally secured to said actuating member by means of pin or rivet 90. A second hook-shaped element 92 is formed on bracket 82. It will now be seen that when bracket hook 92 is brought into engagement with one flange of channel 30 (or any of the other channel members) the other hook 86b may be brought into engagement with the opposite flange of said channel. Actuating member 86a may then be swung downwardly (as viewed in FIG. 8) in order to lock the channel between the two hooks.

It is by the foregoing means that the stop-motion devices 80 may be detachably and adjustably secured to the arcuate channel members 30, 32 and 34. Said stop-motion devices may be attached or removed or adjusted positionally by the clamping means thus described.

it will now be seen that each stop-motion device 80 is provided with a conductor 94, which is properly insulated both from said stop-motion device and also from said bracket 82 by means, for example, of insulating sleeve 96 and insulating tube 98. Lugs 100 on bracket 82 engage insulating tube 98 to hold it and conductor 94 in place. There are other means of holding said conductor in place which need not here be detailed. The upper end of conductor 94 is bent over substantially at right angles to form a contact element 102. Reference to FIG. 6 will disclose the fact that when the stop-motion device is clamped to channel 30 (or to the other channels) contact element 102 will engage tubular conductor 76. It is in this manner that the individual stop-motion devices are brought into the electrical circuit of the stopmotion head.

The foregoing is illustrative of a preferred form of this invention, and it will be understood that said preferred form may be modified and other forms provided within the broad spirit of the invention and the broad scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A stop-motion head, comprising a circular frame adapted to be mounted on a knitting machine having a stop-motion system, a plurality of radially outwardly extending arms detachably secured to said frame, a plurality of arcuate channels detachably secured to said arms in concentric relation to said frame, a plurality of yarn defect detectors detachably and adjustably secured to said channels, a plurality of electrical conductors mounted on said arms and adapted to be connected to said stopmotion system, a plurality of bare electrical conductors mounted in and insulated from said channels, electrical connecting members on said electrical conductors on the arms and complementary electrical connecting members on said bare electrical conductors in the channels, said first mentioned connecting members being in frictional engagement with the second mentioned connecting members, and electrical connecting members on said yarn defect detectors in frictional engagement with said bare electrical conductors in said channels.

2. A stop-motion head in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrical conductors on the channels consist of tubular members which are supported on said channels by means of insulating supporting elements, the electrical connecting members between the electrical conductors on the arms and said tubular members on the channels comprising a plurality of clips which are clipped at one end to said electrical conductors on the arms and which are inserted at their opposite end into said tubular members.

3. A stop-motion head in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrical contact members on the arms consist of a plurality of contact buttons mounted on said arms in insulated relation thereto, the electrical contact members on the frame comprising a plurality of springurged contact elements which are insulated from said frame and which register with the contact buttons on the arms in spring-urged engagement therewith.

4. A stop-motion head in accordance with claim 1, wherein toggle clamps are provided on said yarn defect detectors to removably and adjustably secure said yarn defect detectors to said channels.

5. A stop-motion head in accordance with claim 1, wherein the yarn defect detectors are provided with insulated conductors which are provided with laterally bent bare portions adapted to contact the electrical conductors on the channels in spring-urged engagement therewith, said bent contacting portions constituting the electrical connecting members between said electrical conductors on the channels and the electrical conductors on said yarn defect detectors.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,357,714 Vossen et a1. Sept. 5, 1944 2,387,100 Wachsman Oct. 16, 1945 2,432,953 Vossen Dec. 16, 1947 2,787,148 Vossen Apr. 2, 1957 

